The release of the 2017 DC Extended Universe (DCEU) movie “Justice League” stirred up a whirlwind of diverse reactions. Critically, the film was not well received, its plot was deemed too condensed, and the CGI villain, too stereotypical. The movie, budgeted at a whopping $300 million, only managed to garner $656 million worldwide – a far cry from the $750 million it required to break even.

Behind the scenes, Zack Snyder had to step down as the director due to an unforeseen family tragedy. Joss Whedon was roped in to complete the project, having demonstrated his abilities in the superhero genre with his work on the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s “Avengers Assemble” and “Avengers: Age of Ultron”. However, his vision for the Justice League clashed with the darker tones set by Snyder, resulting in a film that felt like a hybrid of two different ideologies.

Snyder’s departure and subsequent fan campaign resulted in the release of Zack Snyder’s Justice League in 2021. The film’s narrative hinted at a possible sequel where Darkseid, the supervillain, was to be the next antagonist. However, the question of “Justice League Part Two” has remained elusive.

Anticipated Release Date: A Cloud Of Uncertainty

The main question that has been plaguing fans since the release of the Snyder Cut is: when will “Justice League Part Two” release? However, as of July 2022, Warner Bros. has announced no plans to continue the narrative crafted by Snyder.

Despite the setback, this is not the end of the journey for the characters. DC continues to create standalone stories for these beloved characters. For example, “The Flash” is set to star both Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton as Batman, while Patty Jenkins has confirmed the development of “Wonder Woman 3”. Furthermore, production has begun on Jason Momoa’s “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom”. Therefore, although a direct sequel to the “Justice League” seems unlikely, the DCEU is thriving with its individual character narratives.

Speculating The Cast For “Justice League Part Two”

Assuming “Justice League Part Two” was given a green light, it would seem logical that the original cast members would reprise their roles. However, the return of Ray Fisher as Cyborg would have been uncertain due to several allegations he made against Warner Bros. and Joss Whedon regarding discriminatory and abusive behavior during the reshoots of the original film.

On a more positive note, audiences did get to see the Justice League in action in the finale episode of “Peacemaker”, a “Suicide Squad” spin-off series, which featured cameos from Jason Momoa and Ezra Miller reprising their roles as Aquaman and The Flash, respectively.

Imagining The Plotline Of “Justice League Part Two”

If we had the opportunity to see a “Justice League Part Two”, the film would most likely have followed the narrative threads left by Snyder. The director had previously revealed that he envisioned Darkseid killing Lois Lane to break Superman’s will, which would then lead to Superman’s subjugation under the all-powerful Anti-Life Equation.

In this envisioned sequel, the Justice League, led by a remorseful Batman, would’ve embarked on a mission to steal another Motherbox. This would enable The Flash to travel back in time to prevent Lois’ death, thus saving Superman from Darkseid’s control.

This storyline would have allowed for an epic showdown in the supposed “Justice League Part Three”, where the combined forces of the Amazons, Atlanteans, and men would rally behind Superman to fight against Darkseid and decide the fate of the universe.

Trailer And Further Developments

In the absence of a trailer for “Justice League Part Two”, fans may find solace in the animated film “Justice League Dark: Apokolips War”. This film explores themes similar to those Snyder planned for the sequel, offering a glimpse into a universe where a war against Darkseid goes horribly wrong.

In addition, J.J. Abrams is working on a “Justice League Dark” project for HBO Max. The future also holds individual shows following Constantine and Madame Xanadu, as well as a script for a Zatanna movie by Emerald Fennell.

While the news about “Justice League Part Two” might be disheartening for some fans, there is an extensive list of upcoming DC projects that promises to bring new and exciting stories to our screens in the near future. From the adventurous escapades of Indiana Jones 5 and the chilling horror of Scream 6 to the epic world-building of Dune 2, the upcoming lineup is filled with highly anticipated narratives. Further, the next stage of the DC Universe, DCU’s Chapter 1, the new Superman movie, “Superman Legacy”, and “The Brave and the Bold”, all are all set to redefine the superhero genre in their own unique ways.

The Snyder Vision: What Could Have Been?

The plans for “Justice League Part Two” were not merely speculation. Snyder had an elaborate vision for the movie that unfortunately was not brought to fruition. The director revealed his intentions for a tragic and dark narrative that pushes our beloved superheroes to their limits.

Following the successful standoff against Steppenwolf in the first Justice League, the second part would have seen the team face an even more formidable foe: Darkseid. In Snyder’s envisioned plot, Darkseid would have been able to turn Superman into his puppet by using the Anti-Life Equation, a powerful cosmic tool.

As a result of Superman’s fall from grace, Batman and his ragtag team of superheroes would have had to embark on a quest to salvage a Motherbox. This would have allowed The Flash to time travel, altering the past to save Lois Lane and hence, preventing Superman’s downfall.

This narrative would have set the stage for the eventual showdown in “Justice League Part Three”. It would have seen Superman regain his true self and lead a coalition of Earth’s mightiest, including Amazons, Atlanteans, and the Justice League, against Darkseid in a cosmic battle for the fate of the universe.

The Justice League Continues In Other Narratives

While “Justice League Part Two” may not have materialized, it is important to note that the members of the Justice League continue to be at the forefront of the DCEU. Batman will return in “The Flash” with both Ben Affleck and Michael Keaton reprising their roles. Gal Gadot will step into Wonder Woman’s boots again for “Wonder Woman 3”, and Jason Momoa will make a splash in “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom”.

Moreover, the Justice League had a surprise reunion in the finale episode of “Peacemaker”. While it wasn’t a full-fledged sequel, seeing some of our favorite characters together on screen was a treat for the fans.

Animated Depictions And Spin-offs

For those craving more Justice League action, the animated movie “Justice League Dark: Apokolips War” is worth exploring. Although it’s not a direct sequel, the movie delves into themes that Snyder intended for “Justice League Part Two”, offering a unique take on what a war against Darkseid might look like.

Moreover, Warner Bros. and Bad Robot are working together to bring a new Justice League project to HBO Max. This adaptation of “Justice League Dark” promises to explore the mystical and darker aspects of the DC universe, led by the likes of John Constantine and Zatanna.

The Future Of The DCEU

Despite the current roadblock in the journey of “Justice League Part Two”, it is clear that the DCEU has a plethora of exciting narratives in the pipeline. The universe is set to expand further, with “DCU’s Chapter 1”, the new Superman movie “Superman Legacy”, and “The Brave and the Bold” making their way to our screens.

In summary, while the dream of “Justice League Part Two” might be on hold, the legacy of the Justice League continues to be a pivotal part of the DCEU’s future, with each character navigating their own adventures and challenges. Their stories, whether solo or in combination, continue to capture the essence of the original Justice League narrative. Through these character arcs and narratives, fans can continue to witness the spirit of the Justice League, while holding on to the hope for a potential “Justice League Part Two”.